AFL TIPS: Carlton v Gold Coast Suns

Saturday, August 9 – 7.35 PM AEST – Venue: Marvel Stadium

Gold Coast pumped the Tigers last week after having a strong win over Brisbane the week prior. If they want to play finals for the first time they have to bring the pressure every week, and I expect them to keep that momentum for the rest of the year.

Matt Rowell and his captain Noah Anderson are in great form and Touk Miller eased himself back with 25 possessions last week. Jed Walter may return, which will give them the three talls in the forward line they will need to have in place to win finals. Will Graham is available but will likely play in the reserves again to build match fitness as he has been out with a shoulder injury for 12 weeks. King with 4 goals and Humphrey 3 goals are rewarding the efforts of the midfield on a weekly basis. Hardwick rates Witts as an all Australian ruckman and the big man is in career best form, both in the centre bounce and around the ground.

The Suns have the class all over the ground and will be far too good for the Blues, who have been very disappointing this year. The Blues were better against Freo for three quarters but their inability to hit targets when they try to move the ball forward hurts them repeatedly. They turn the ball over too often for a team that played in a preliminary final in 2023. They have had a horrible run with injuries to key players including Sam Walsh, Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman, Jack Silvagni, Orazio Fantasia, Matt Cottrell and prized pick 3 in last year’s draft Jagga Smith, but it shows the lack of depth they have, with the bottom six to eight players not deserving their spot in the side and probably not on the list in 2026.

The Blues should bring Jaxon Binns and Jordan Boyd in for the rest of the season to see if they deserve contracts in 2026.

Gold Coast are playing for a top 4 position and home finals, so they will keep the foot on the pedal until the final siren.

Gold Coast by 29 points